Fiona Bruce has been praised for her deft and assertive handling of panellists on the new-look Question Time.

The experienced newsreader appeared to take little time to settle into the frequently fiery debate show.

Brexit was the first and primary topic of discussion and interruption on the first Question Time since the Christmas break, and Bruce was praised for pressing guests on the Brexit deal, Conservative leave strategy, and alleged Labour electioneering over the EU.

Within the first few minutes of the show, Bruce asserted her authority, firmly questioned Conservative deputy chairman James Cleverly over the Government’s apparent lack of control over the Brexit process.

Talking to Ms Thornberry, Bruce said that people were “laughing” at the Labour frontbencher when she claimed there was a better deal available for the UK with a Corbyn-led government.

Ms Thornberry made appeals for a general election during the show.

The new presenter also welcomed journalist Melanie Phillips, and comedian Nish Kumar.

The pair clashed over the comedian accusing Phillips of being a bigot, after the journalist asked whether he had read a report into police racism.

Bruce’s performance on the show was praised by viewers, who were impressed with the host’s directness and determination to get straight answers.

One viewer commented on Twitter, saying: “I loved David Dimbleby but must say Fiona Bruce is proving herself incredibly capable of not just chairing the #bbcqt panel but enforcing actual responses to questions and ensuring flow between responses.”

Another said the show was now “much calmer & more orderly”, while one concluded: “Fiona Bruce is gonna be good at this job and more power to her.”

Bruce made a home on the BBC Six O’Clock News, with experience on News At Ten, becoming its first female presenter.